Links

Cambodians living in the Washington area say they are getting less federal funding for cultural programs and have now begun looking into local support to hold the annual Cambodian Community Day.

Organizers are holding a fundraiser on May 5, in hopes of earning enough money to put on the event in August. Plans for the event, to be held in a public park in Alexandria, Va., include an Angkorean fashion show.

“We have encountered many difficulties,” said Tep Sophia, deputy head of the Community Day’s organizing committee. The event lacks both funding and human resources, she said.

The event aims to integrate Cambodian culture into American society, giving an opportunity for Cambodians born in the US to be proud of their heritage, she said.

“Our culture is glorious, and we have Angkor Wat, which no other country in Southeast Asia has,” Tep Sophia said. “If we Khmers do not show or promote it, who else will do it for us?”

On Thursday a memorial was unveiled in Phnom Penh to the thousands of men, women and children who were brought to Cambodia's notorious S-21 prison between 1975 and 1979, where they were tortured and then executed by Pol Pot's murderous regime. Although many have welcomed the memorial, one aspect of it has proven controversial. Robert Carmichael reports for VOA from Phnom Penh.

You can say, "What? You lost your passport? So, you're stranded in a foreign country, where you don't speak the language and you don't know anyone? You've got to be kidding me, right?" What does it mean? Watch here. For more videos - go to www.youtube.com/KhmerSpecialEnglish. To contact Mani & Mori - write to them at maniandmori@gmail.com.

Video

You can say, "What? You lost your passport? So, you're stranded in a foreign country, where you don't speak the language and you don't know anyone? You've got to be kidding me, right?" What does it mean? Watch here. For more videos - go to youtube.com/KhmerSpecialEnglish.

Video

You can say, "He has many strong qualities as a leader and under his leadership I think he will successfully 'carry out' the new mission and vision for this company." What does it mean? Watch here. For more videos - go to youtube.com/KhmerSpecialEnglish.

Video

You can say, "The visit to the doctor was definitely 'a wake up call' for him. The heavy drinking, smoking, and partying every night needs to stop." What does it mean? For more videos - go to www.youtube.com/KhmerSpecialEnglish. To contact Mani & Mori - write to them at maniandmori@gmail.com.

Video

You can say, "I can't believe he's not accepting responsibility for his mistakes. To 'save face' he continues to make excuses for himself." What does it mean? Watch here. For more videos - go to youtube.com/KhmerSpecialEnglish. To contact Mani & Mori - write to them at maniandmori@gmail.com.